Monday, February 20, 2012

Budjette Tan lives and breathes storytelling. He is the writer of the comic book Trese. It tells the story of Alexandra Trese, a supernatural investigator solving crimes committed by creatures from Philippine folklore.

Budjette shares a well-organized work space with his wife, Wella. He has an impressive collection of graphic novels and a growing number of fan-made Trese memorabilia. Take a peek inside his creative space. :)

As far as comic books are concerned... in the 80s, it was the works of Chris Claremont, Frank Miller, and Alan Moore. In the 90s, it was Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison. And in the 2000s, it was Warren Ellis.

As far as other storytellers are concerned, I think Sting's songs have been a big influence, Stephen King's short stories, and TV shows like Twilight Zone, X-Files, CSI, and Fringe.

Top 5 movies: Aliens, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Se7en, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises

Music you listen to: When I'm typing down the script, I usually listen to the Ray Brown Trio. I have this album of theirs which they record live in a branch of Starbucks. I like listening to the piano beat as a type. Makes me want to type faster.

If I want to get into a certain mood for a scene, I listen to Sting or to the soundtrack of The Dark Knight.

5 Favorite websites:Newsarama.com and iFanBoy.com for my daily comic book news. Housed within iFanBoy is the Word Balloon podcast, hosted by John Siuntres, who interviews comic book writers and artists. Deviantart.com is how I keep tabs on the new and current Filipino artists. Of course, Facebook and Twitter, to keep connected to my family, friends, and readers.

When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time? Sleep. Read comics. Try out new restaurants with my wife.

If you were to choose a different job, what would it be? What do you mean? Are you asking, what would I be doing if I were not in an ad agency? I would be doing comics full time! And if it weren't comics, I'd still like to be in a place where I can tell stories for a living.

If you can have any super power, what would it be? I want to have all the powers of the Martian Manhunter! He can shape-shift, has telepathy, flight, super-strength, heat vision, can become invisible and transparent, and has great abs!

What is the biggest problem of the world right now? I think the biggest problem of the world is hunger. And this "hunger" can range from the lack of food in one's belly to the need for attention and gratification. We hunger to be "liked" and loved.

What do you think is the solution? To be generous and help feed the hunger of others.

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far? Finish what you start. Get things done. Keep writing your story.

Most inspiring statement/moment (heard/said/read):

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who things you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.

"...I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.

"And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." --- Neil Gaiman